The Rigged-Up Net

Email experiment confirms six degrees of separation

Despite enabling almost instantaneous global communication, email appears not to have made the world a more close-knit community.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994037

Jelly lenses could fix ageing eyes

A neat fix for ageing eyes could soon be tested in humans. The treatment, which involves replacing the contents of the lens in the eye with a soft polymer gel, could allow millions of people to throw away their reading glasses.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994025

Swollen Orders Show Spam’s Allure

A security flaw at a website operated by the purveyors of penis-enlargement pills has provided the world with a depressing answer to the question: Who in their right mind would buy something from a spammer?

http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,59907,00.html

Has ‘haven’ for questionable sites sunk?

A widely publicized project to transform a man-made platform off the coast of England into a haven for controversial Web businesses has failed due to political, technical and management problems, one of the project’s founders said.

http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-5059676.html

SBC announces deployment of Wi-Fi service

SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE: SBC) has announced plans to deploy more than 20,000 wireless fidelity or Wi-Fi hot spots in 6,000 venues during the next three years as part of a plan to create a new wireless service for consumers.

http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2003/08/04/daily18.html

Poll: New Smoking Compromise Likely to Pass

A poll of city council by 1200 WOAI news indicates Mayor Garza’s last minute compromise in the smoking issue appears poised to pass city council tomorrow.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-434BF2CD-B790-45BC-9014-7F50C657BCA2.asp?0na=x22131206

IT managers and developers gather at LinuxWorld in San Francisco to learn more about the open-source operating system that is gaining momentum but faces legal threats from SCO Group.

http://news.com.com/2009-1001_3-5059815.html?tag=fd_lede1_img

Gay taste? Here’s straight talk

Is it true, as some people believe, that gay men have better taste than their straight brothers?

http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-08-04-gay-taste_x.htm

Charm school

Swasko Jewels rolled out its WineJewels product too early; now the accessory company is coming out with its HipIce swinging

The full story about wine charms here:
http://houston.bizjournals.com/entrepreneur/2003/08/05/

Mayor Releases Smoking Compromise Plan

Thursday is the big day when we find out if smoking is banned in San Antonio restaurants. Mayor Ed Garza released his compromise plan on Monday.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-38493995-EB3D-479F-B55C-AF906AF1BEEC.asp?0na=x22014814

You are what your mother ate, suggests study

What mothers eat during pregancy could have a fundamental and lifelong effect on the genes of their children, suggests an intriguing new study in mice.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994017

Biggest not always the daddy in mating game

Contrary to commonly accepted theory, the females of some species are partial to weedier partners

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994003

Science graduates live long and prosper

Science and medicine students go on to live longer and healthier lives than those studying other subjects, according to a survey of men attending university between 1948 and 1968.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994013

Colleges explore legal Net music setups

Universities are considering ways to bring legal Internet jukeboxes to dorm rooms, including entering deals with commercial service providers that would see online music charges included alongside tuition fees or picked up by the schools themselves

http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5059030.html

Hackers huddle in the desert

As the flaws keep flowing in, hackers and security experts gather in Las Vegas to work out what’s needed to keep the Internet safe–and whether it’s time for less talk and more action.

http://news.com.com/2009-1002_3-5058213.html?tag=fd_lede1_hed

Virtual reality conquers sense of taste

A new device mimics the taste and “mouthfeel” of food from crackers to jelly – its designers say its perfect for designing new foods

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994006

Dixie Chicks Tour Bus in SA Fender Bender

At least one band member was on the bus during the 4AM wreck.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-A00E4B82-6787-494D-8242-95C17594B432.asp?0na=x22234501&cp1=1

Texas Number One in Drunk Driving Fatalities

Texas leads the nation in the number of fatal accidents caused by drunk driving, according to new figures released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-1C898EC8-7A6F-4FE2-BB98-0CC73DF7DF7E.asp?0na=x22052A0-

Mayor: Smoking Ban May Fail

Garza for the first time acknowledges that the smoking ban may not pass this year.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-41EF7990-5382-447D-9DED-4F678C931B59.asp?0na=x22152B1-

Three San Antonio Roads May Become Toll Roads

Toll roads in San Antonio may become reality. TXDOT is coming forward with a new proposal.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-7EBB3055-4DD5-4AB9-8F94-EAF63B63AD41.asp?0na=x22137L0-

Tight ties may be bad for eyes

Men who tie their neckties too tightly could be increasing their risk of a sight destroying disease, suggests new research

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993996

‘Crack’ nicotine in cigarettes varies widely

The level of the most addictive form of the drug is 35 times higher in some brands than others, researchers find

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993990

Tx Senators On The Run…. Again!

Democratic state lawmakers fled Texas on Monday for the second time in three months to thwart a Republican drive to redraw the state’s congressional districts.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-B38ED097-E912-4867-A115-C868266A66B1.asp?0na=x22129W1-

By fusing images, Lehigh professor detects concealed weapons

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-06/lu-bfi062403.php

(Thanks Dirk)

UPDATE: Ok people – enough with the “where are the pics”… Here’s the link to the slides that show the pics since its a bit hard to find: http://www.ece.lehigh.edu/SPCRL/IF_NonvisualSensors/ImageFusionSeminar.pdf

NEW: Lotto chief says claim Jan. 29 jackpot today or lose it

Texas Lottery Commission executive director Reagan Greer made a last-ditch plea today for the winner of the Jan. 29 jackpot to convert the unclaimed ticket to riches.

http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=180&xlc=1031803&xld=180

Angelia sent this to me… all this matrix stuff is getting outta hand…

http://www.sivanet.idv.tw/siva/kungfu.swf

Self-help genre gets a good mocking

You shouldn’t laugh at another’s misfortunes. But it’s so much fun, particularly when those in question deserve it. Who Moved My Soap? is a delightful exercise in schadenfreude ? laughter at the expense of others.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/books/reviews/2003-07-27-soap_x.htm

Happiness helps fight off colds

Happy people are three times less likely to get a cold, according to researchers who squirted cold virus up the noses of volunteers.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993989

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Comedy legend dies at age 100, leaving behind wealth of TV, film credits

http://www.msnbc.com/news/944998.asp?0na=x2107110-

It can pay to think small

A Jolly Roger flag hangs in the third-floor window at ServerBeach’s headquarters in downtown San Antonio. Richard Yoo is the founder of a web hosting company called ServerBeach and also founded Rackspace, another web hosting company. The flag symbolizes the company’s renegade outlook, said Richard Yoo, its 28-year-old founder.

http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=110&xlc=1030704&xld=110

From Slashdot.

“Xenarc Technologies have introduced a cool new in-dash DIN-form-factor Car PC. It features built in hard drive, audio/video, and GPS, among other things. Estimated price will be about $1200. I can’t even begin to list the possibilities for mobile computing bliss.”

http://www.xenarc.com/product/cp1000.html

Texas House Bill 281 – cell phone use in cars – effective 9/1/03

Sec. 545.425.

USE OF TELEPHONE; OFFENSE.

(a)An operator may not use a telephone while operating
a motor vehicle unless:

1) the vehicle is stopped; or
2) the telephone is used without use of either of the
operator’s hands.

(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than
$100.

This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.

Carlie sent me a Pez bomb today… check out the photo! (I put a quarter in the picture for scale)

Will there be a baby boom over the next decade?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/snapshot.htm?section=N&label=2003-07-23-boom.jpg

Poetry website goes from bad to verse

Vogons, fans of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will recall, wrote poetry so bad it could kill. Now an experiment to create poems on the web looks likely to automate the awfulness of Vogon verse.

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993971

Woman Uses Blood As Weapon Against Police Officer

A routine traffic stop along a quiet street turned into a bizarre crime scene in New Braunfels.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KMOL/D-217F796A-94DD-4287-A98D-3235AFCFAC6B.asp?0na=x2206110-

Recent research shows that there are 5 stages of sex:

The 1st stage of sex is Smurf Sex. This kind of sex happens when you first meet someone and you both have sex until you are blue in the face.

The 2nd stage of sex is Kitchen Sex. This is when you have been with your partner for a short time and you are so horny you will have sex anywhere, even in the kitchen.

The 3rd stage of sex is Bedroom Sex. This is when you have been with your partner for a long time. Your sex has gotten routine and you usually have sex in your bedroom.

The 4th stage of sex is Hallway Sex. This is when you have been with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in the hallway you both say “Fuck You!”

The 5th and final stage of sex is Courtroom Sex. This is when you cannot stand your wife any more. She takes you to court and screws you in front of everyone.

David Filo, Yahoo’s co-founder and largest individual shareholder, sold company stock for the first time last week, netting around $3 million before taxes and fees.

http://msnbc-cnet.com.com/2100-1030_3-5052964.html

Eat fish, ward off Alzheimer’s. Research finds omega-3 fatty acids boosts memory abilities.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-07-21-fish-usat_x.htm